There are three types of Molasses
- Unsulphured
- Sulphured
- Blackstrap
Blackstrap Molasses can be a great addition to your poultry's diet that can help purge, increase health and improve weight gain (bulk up).
Blackstrap Molasses is high in Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium and Iron.
Molasses works by either (a) building up or (b) purging through diarrhea.
So be very careful on how generous you want to be, as it can have the opposite effect of what you intended it to do.
Ironically, molasses helps replace vitamins and minerals lost after a bout of diarrhea. A bit drizzled on a recovering hen's feed will encourage her to eat as well as restore her energy.
NEVER feed chicks with molasses. Give only to laying and adult birds.
Purging Recipe
A high dose of blackstrap molasses will create a laxative flush to help purge the birds of an accidental poisoning, toxic substances and most especially for treating birds suffering of botulism.
Molasses Flush Solution
Add 1 cup of Blackstrap Molasses to 10 Litres of Water.
Allow birds free access to drink for the next 4 hours.
Birds that are not able to drink will need to be fed the solution orally through a syringe, 1ml at a time.
Return the clean drinking water to the hens after this period has passed.
Expect diarrhea.
Cleansing Mash (from FreshEggsDaily.com)
1 jar of unsweetened Apple Sauce (250-300ml)
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Blackstap Molasses
1/4 cup Plain Greek Yoghurt
Periodically, it can be beneficial to administer a 'cleansing mash' to your flock. It will help cleanse their digestive tracts and intestines, as well as reintroduce good bacteria to their guts.
Weight Gain Recipe
This recipe comes from a forum of a Croad Langshan breeder who uses this recipe to bulk them up. Ideal for finishing poultry before dispatch too. If you have meat birds, this recipe might be very handy.
Bulk Up Molasses Mix
1 cup Skim Milk Powder
1/2 cup Blackstrap Molasses
Handful of Vitamin Powder
6-7 Litres warm water
Mix all these ingredients well, then add:
1 cereal bowl of Pollard 12% protein
1 cereal bowl Mill Mix 12% protein
2 cereal bowls Soy Meal 38% protein
2 cereal bowls Turkey Starter 28% protein (or Pullet Grower 16% protein)
2 cereal bowls Mixed Grain
NOTES
- Wheat Pollard is a by-product of the flour milling of grain. (Try: Laucke Mills)
- Be aware that Turkey Starter and Pullet Grower may contain coccidiostats. So eggs and meat cannot be consumed from these birds while being fed on this product. Look for a medication free starter.
- Soy Meal or Soybean Meal is a great source of amino acids and energy.
- Mill Mix comes in a loose form and pellets. Use the loose form. (Try: Castlegate James)